Exercising and recreational apparatus



March 26, 1963 D. w. GORDON ETAL 3, 8 ,03

EXERCISING AND RECREATIONAL APARATUS Filed May 27, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 T g..l.

INVENTORS 00mm 0 14. 6 0900 ALBERT H1? BY March 26, 1963 D. w. GORDON ETAL 3,083,037

EXERCISING AND RECREATIONAL APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. flo/vALo WGa/wo/v ALBERT H. JA/cm JrraR/w United States atent 3,083,037 Patented Mar. 26, 1963 This invention relates to exercising and recreational apparatus and has as its general object to provide a rolling type cage structure wherein one or two persons may support themselves by engaging handles and stirrups with their hands and feet, with supplementary support means being provided for the mid-portion of the body.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an exercising device by which roll-over operations in multiple directions may be executed through body movements of the person or persons within the apparatus. More specifically, the invention contemplates an exercising cage in the general form of a sphere defined by a series of semi-circular bows extending between diametrically opposed poles along great-circle contours, the bows being sufiiciently closely spaced circumferentially so that any pair of adjacent bows may form a pair of converging rims or rockers upon which rolling or rocking movements can be executed. Even though the pairs of adjacent bows converge together at the poles of the cage, they are adapted to impart sufficient directional stability to the cage in the execution of a rolling movement so that if desired, it may be caused to roll like a wheel in a straight line path. At the same time, by virtue of the convergence of the bows at the poles, a skillful operator is able to execute changes in the rolling direction as the pole hubs of the cage make contact with the ground or other supporting surface.

A further object is to provide such an exercising cage structure in conjunction with a series of removable attachments for the interior thereof, such that the basic cage structure can be converted to utilize various selective internal hand and foot support structures, to accomodate the use of the apparatus for various exercising maneuvers of varying skill requirements.

A still further object is to provide an exercising apparatus including a rotatable cage structure and, as a supplement thereto, a fixed support structure providing for pivotal supporting connections to the two pole hubs of the cage for supporting the same on a fixed horizontal axis about which the cage may be rotated in the exercising maneuvers of its occupant.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the ensuing specifications and appended drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an exercising apparatus embodying the invention, the rotatable cage structure being shown in connection with fixed support means for supporting it on a fixed horizontal axis;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the same, viewing one of its poles;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus equipped with hand and foot support members of a bar type;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the central area of the same, viewed along its polar axis;

FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view illustrating the pole hub structure of the cage;

FIG. 6 is a detail of the foot-support stirrup unit;

FIG. 7 is a detail sectional view illustrating the attachment of the narrow handle unit;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view of the cage shown in FIG. 3 taken on the line 8-8 thereof;

FIG. 9 is a detail sectional View.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, we have shown therein, as an example of one form in which the invention may be embodied, an exercising apparatus comprising, in general, a rotatable cage A, a pair of supporting standards B, and a set of hand, foot and body supporting members indicated generally at C, by means of which an operator, indicated in phantom at D, may attach himself to the cage in the interior thereof. Other figures illustrate the cage, with diiferent attachments, as used in rolling etc. travel on the ground.

Detailed Description-The Invention as Shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 In detail, the cage A comprises a series of semi-circular bows 11 the ends of which are secured in any suitable manner, as by welding, to respective hubs 12 located at the poles of a sphere which is defined by the series of bows 11. The common axis of the hubs '12, which is herein referred to as the polar axis, is intersected by a series of planes of great circles which are defined by the circumferential axes of respective pairs of diametrically opposed bows. 11, said circumferential axes intersecting at the respective poles (the centers of the respective hubs 12).

While in FIGS. 1-4 the hubs 12 are indicated schematically as plain cylindrical discs, the preferred construction for the hubs is that shown in FIG. 5, and includes a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced radial sockets 13 into which the ends of bows 11 may be detachably secured by set screws 14, and a central cup structure 15 which provides a central cavity within which is accomodated an integral trunnion 16. Trunnion 16 faces outwardly, the annular cavity 17 of the central cup portion 15 being on the exterior of the cage structure. A threaded bore 13 is preferably provided in the base of trunnion lid, facing inwardly, for the attachment of selected fittings such as a threaded fitting 19 for anchoring the outer end of a cable or tie rod 20', 20' for a waist band 21 such as disclosed in FIG. 1.

Trunnions 16 are adapted to be supported in suitable sockets 22 which in turn are rotatably mounted in bearings 23 (FIG. 2) in the upper ends of the supporting standards B. Sockets 22 extend into annular cavities 17. Standards B may include vertical post members 24 and base members 25, the latter adapted to be permanently anchored to a suitable supporting surface 26, such as a paved facing of a play ground or a gymnasium floor or a pair of footings anchored in the ground.

The waist band 21 may be internally padded as at 27. In any event, the waist band 21 provides an opening of substantially larger diameter than the waist of the normal athletic person using the apparatus, so that he may have room for arching the central portion of his body from side to side or front to rear in order to impart directional momentum to the cage for rotating it on its fixed axis in supports B or for rolling it on the ground.

In addition to the ties 20, 20 extending between the waist band 21 and diametrically opposed portions of cage A (e.g. between the two poles of the cage) the invention provides a pair of lateral tics 27', 27" (FIG. 2) extending between the waist band 21 and a pair of bows 11. In each of the pairs of ties 2t 20', 2'7, 27", one of the ties, (tie 20 or 27") is provided with an adjusting device such as the turn buckle 23 for placing the four ties under tension in order to support the waist band 21 in a fixed position at the center of the cage. The ties 20, 20, 27', 27 may be of substantially rigid rod construction as shown, With their ends threaded into suitable internally threaded female socket fittings 19, 29 and 30; or may be of flexible cable construction (in which event they may incorporate longitudinally yieldable elastic properties) as by being constructed of soft rubber or coil spring or other equivalent longitudinally distensible material (having elastic tensioning characteristics). Where flexible cable structure is utilized, the adjustment means will preferably utilize a take-up clasp structure (such as a belt clasp) in lieu' of the turn buckles 28.

As will be noted, there is one of the adjustment devices 28 for each pair of ties, and the ties are arranged in crossed relation with the adjustment devices28 at 90 spacing, so that each pair of ties may be tensioned. The fittings 29 may be integral sockets equally spaced on the periphery of band 21 and the fittings 30 may be internally threaded sockets anchored to the inner sides of a pair of the bows 11. g

It may now be noted that the ends of the bows 11 converge so that their circumferential axes intersect at the respective poles at the cage A, and the bows are circumferentially spaced with maximum spacing in an equatorial zone midway between the poles. The bows 11 are sufficiently closely spaced so that the cage A may be rolled laterally on the ground, with its axis of rotation being coincident with the polar axis, and with the bows making successive contact with the ground surface at points lying substantially in the aforesaid equatorial zone. Since the equatorial cross sectional configuration of the cage is, in effect, that of a regular polygon, with corners defined by the successive bows 11 at .the equatorial points thereof, the lateral rolling action here referred to will be similar to that of a wheel having a rim of regular polygonal configuration. For satisfactory results in such lateral rolling operation, there should preferably be not less than the eight bows 11 disclosed in the drawing. A greater number may be utilized if desired.

In addition to the waist band structure described above, the attachment apparatus includes suitable handles 32 and foot-hold members which may be in the form of stirrups 33 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring now to FIG. 6, stirrup 33 (fabricated of strap metal), each include an archportion 34 to pass over the instep of an operators foot, and a pair of radially inwardly projecting step portions 35 terminating in tabs 36 shaped for snug embracing engagement against the equatorial portion of a respective bow 11, and adapted to be secured thereto by cap screws 37 extending through respective apertures in the tabs 36 and into threaded bores (not shown) in the equatorial portions of the bows 11. These threaded bores will serve to locate the proper positions of the stirrups when they are attached.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the handle 32 may be of U-form with parallel side arms 39 insertible into aper-' tures or sockets 40 in respective bows 11 and having in their ends, internally threaded bores adapted to receive anchor screws 41 extended through the opposite side of the respective bow 11 and threaded lightly into these threaded bores. -At this point it may be noted that the bows 11 may be of tubular construction as shown in FIGS. and 7, although it would be possible to utilize solid rod structure in which case the sockets 40 would be bores extended part way across the diameter ofthe bow cross section and terminating in bottoms through which the screws 41 would beinserted. The socketsdti are disposed in a pair of adjacent bows 11 diametrically opposite the two bows to which stirrups 33 are adapted to be attached. Referring now to FIG. 2, it maynow be noted that in using .the handles 32 and stirrups33, the operator D will be standing upon one pair of adjacent bows and will grasp handles attached to a diametrically opposite pair of adjacent bows, with his body extending across the center of the cage structure. t

This arrangement of stirrups and handles may be used with the waist band 21 and its supporting ties with the waist band positioned as shown in FIG; 1 (e.g. its axis passing midway between the handles and 'stirrups) in which case the normal usage of the apparatus will be to demount it from the standards B and utilize it in free rolling operations wherein the operator, by swinging his body laterally (or forwardly and rearwardly) may induce rolling motion either in a lateral direction along the equatorial zone or in a fore-aft path wherein the poles of the cage A rotate end over end in a vertical plane with which the path of rolling movement is coincident.

Modified Form-FIGS. 3 and 4 FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a modified form of hand hold and-foot hold devices of straight bar form. The handle bars 45 are provided at their respective ends with tangs 46 which may be attach-ed to the bows 11 by attachment means such as that shown in FIG. 7, including screws 41 shown in FIG. 3, with each of the handle bars extending chordally between a pair of adjacent bows as disclosed in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 3 and 4 also illustrate a modified form of foot rest comprising a circular rail 47 seated upon the several bows 11 in a zone perpendicular to the polar axis and attached thereto as by means of screws 48 (FIG. 9).

FIGS. 3 and 4, and FIG. 8 further illustrate a modified form of waist band and spider structure C, wherein the waist band 21a is in the form of a flexible belt of leather, plastic material, woven fabric or the like, having ends adapted to be attached .to one another by means of a buckle 49; wherein the tie rods 20a are arranged in pairs of parallel metal rods with the rods of each pair extending between a pair of adjacent bows 11 on one side of the cage A and a corresponding pair of adjacent bows on the diametrically opposite side thereof, and with the two pairs of tie rods Ztla crossing one another at right angles to define at the center of the cage A an open square frame to the corners of which the band 21a is attached by means of short tie straps 50 having take-up buckles 51 therein for adjustingthem for length. The outer ends of ties 50 have apertures 52 through which the tie rods 20a extend at theirtcrossings. The inward sections of the straps 50 are permanently attached to the waist band 21a. The straps extend diagonally, inwardly from the crossings of rods 20a to the band 21a at points spaced apart circumferentially so asfto provide support in tension for the band 21a.

Referring again to FIG. 3, it maybe noted that the handle bars 45 are disposed adjacent one pole of the cage A in a zone normal to the polar axis. The foot rail 47 is disposed in a similarly normal zone adjacent the other pole, and the waist band and spider structure C is located in the equatorial zone of the cage (also normal to the polar axis).

In operating the apparatus in the form shown in FIG. 3,

the operator D stands on the foot rail 47, preferably with his feet resting on diametrically opposed portions thereof, and grasps two diametrically opposed handle bars 45. The waist band spider C may or may not be utilized in connection with this arrangement, huh-when used, protects the operator from injury in the event his feet should slip from the foot rail 47, the spider C supporting the operator at the waist region so that his body cannot swing laterally through the spaces between bows lilso long as he maintains his grasp upon the handle bars 45.

By swinging his body within the range of movement permitted by the loosely fitting waist band 21a, the operator can impart momentum to the cage A to cause it to roll or rock upon the ground.

The cage of FIG. 8 may also include an equatorial great circle ring 53 secured to the inner sides of'the respective bows 11 in a plane parallel to the polar axis and midway between the poles.

We claim:

1. In an exercising and recreational apparatus: a gener-aliy spherical cage having a diameter such as to receive a man in standing position, comprising a plurality of semicircular bows, and a pair of polar hubs to which the respective ends of said bows are secured with the bows in spherical array, disposed as meridians thereof and spaced circumferentially around a polar axis passing through said hubs, whereby any adjacent pair of said bows may function as ground-engaging rims for rolling or rocking movement of the cage in a plane of said polar axis bisecting the space between said rims; said cage further including means adapted to be engaged by the hands and feet of an operator for supporting himself within the cage 1 while utilizing bodily movements to impart movement .to

the cage; a waist band for loosely encircling the waist of the operator; and tie links attached to and extending be tween the periphery of the band and spaced portions of said cage .to provide a spider structure supporting the band approximately at the center of the cage, said tie links comprising two pairs of parallel rods crossing one another at right angles in symmetrically spaced relation on respective sides of the center of the cage, the ends of each pair of rods being attached to adjacent bows on diametrically opposite sides of the cage, there being eight of the bows spaced 45 apart, the central portions of said rods, inwardly of their crossing, defining a square within which said waist band is received; and relatively short ties extending between and attached to the periphery of said band and peripherally spaced portions of said square.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said relatively short ties comprise straps each having an outer end linked to a respective crossing of said tie links and an inner end attached to said Waist band, and means between said ends for adjusting the length of the ties.

3. In an exercising and recreational apparatus: a generally spherical cage having a diameter such as to receive a man in standing position, comprising a plurality of semicircular bows, and a pair of polar hubs to which the respective ends of said bow-s are secured with the bows in spherical array, disposed as meridians thereof and spaced circumferentially around a polar axis passing through said hubs, whereby any adjacent pair of said bows may function as ground-engaging rims for rolling or rocking movement of the cage in a plane of said polar axis bisecting the space between said rims; said cage further including means adapted to be engaged by the hands and feet of an operator for supporting himself within the cage while utilizing bodily movements to impart movement to the cage; a waist band for loosely encircling the waist of the operator, and tie links attached to and extending between the periphery of the band and spaced portions of said cage to provide a spider structure supporting the band approximately at the center of the cage, said tie links being attached to and radiating from portions of said waist band spaced approximately 90 apart and extending radially to said cage portions in spoke formation, at least two of said tie links, disposed at approximately 90 spacing from one another, embodying means for adjusting their length.

4. Exercising and recreational apparatus comprising: a cage including a pair of axially opposed hubs and a plurality of semi-circular bows having their respective ends secured to the respective hubs, said bows being circumferentially spaced about a polar axis passing through said hubs and defining a spherical array about said axis in positions constituting meridians of said spherical array; and means for engagement by extremities of a person disposed within said cage whereby he may support himself therein while utilizing bodily movements to impart rocking and rolling movements to the cage, with said bows functioning as ground-engaging tread members; two pairs of parallel rods crossing one another at right angles in symmetrically spaced relation on respective sides of the center of the cage, the ends of each pair of rods being attached to adjacent bows on diametrically opposite sides of the cage, there being eight of the bows spaced apart, the central portions of said rods, inwardly of their crossing, defining a square within which the body of the person may be received while the feet of the person are supported on one of said hubs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,681,638 Carvell June 22, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 16,719 Great Britain 1909 463,933 Germany Aug. 4, 1928 1,113,809 France Dec. 12, 1955 1.159.660 France Feb. 17. 1958 

1. IN AN EXECISING AND RECREATIONAL APPARATUS: A GENERALLY SPHERICAL CAGE HAVING A DIAMETER SUCH AS TO RECEIVE A MAN IN STANDING POSITION, COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SEMICIRCULAR BOWS, AND A PAIR OF POLAR HUBS TO WHICH THE RESPECTIVE ENDS OF SAID BOWS ARE SECURED WITH THE BOWS IN SPHERICAL ARRAY, DISPOSED AS MERIDIANS THEREOF AND SPACED CIRCUMFERENTIALLY AROUND A POLAR AXIS PASSING THROUGH SAID HUBS, WHEREBY ANY ADJACENT PAIR OF SAID BOWS MAY FUNCTION AS GROUND-ENGAGING RIMS FOR ROLLING OR ROCKING MOVEMENT OF THE CAGE IN A PLANE OF SAID POLAR AXIS BISECTING THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID RIMS; SAID CAGE FURTHER INCLUDING MEANS ADAPTED TO BE ENGAGED BY THE HANDS AND FEET OF AN OPERATOR FOR SUPPORTING HIMSELF WITHIN THE CAGE WHILE UTILIZING BODILY MOVEMENTS TO IMPART MOVEMENT TO THE CAGE; A WAIST BAND FOR LOOSELY ENCIRCLING THE WAIST OF THE OPERATOR; AND TIE LINKS ATTACHED TO AND EXTENDING BETWEEN THE PERIPHERY OF THE BAND AND SPACED PORTIONS OF SAID CAGE TO PROVIDE A SPIDER STRUCTURE SUPPORTING THE BAND APPROXIMATELY AT THE CENTER OF THE CAGE, SAID TIE 